KitandDave Posted August 27 Share Posted August 27 I just brought my 2005 red/grey Cabrio home from N. Van yesterday. With all that “look at me” red it’s quite an eye catcher! Even screaming along on the Trans Canada to Hope it seemed very fuel efficient, with half a tank left, so I took off for Princeton, planning to fill up there. About half way through Manning Park the tank was down to one bar (bubble?) on the gauge and the station up there was closed. I started to sweat! How much range is left at that point? 50 km? I didn’t know and consulting the owner’s manual seemed useless, I know there isn’t any diesel in there. I’m thinking “what procedure is required for bleeding the injectors?” So I crept along at 75 in manual gear mode and made it to Princeton okay. Filled up and it took only 16.33 litres! If the capacity is 22 then I had 1/4 tank or so. Not too hyped about that gauge! Has anyone here run right out? Does the engine shut down before the injectors are spraying air? I didn’t want to find out in the middle of Manning Park in the dark! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted August 27 Share Posted August 27 I’ve never run out with the smart so I can’t confirm whether it will self prime or not. It has an electric transfer pump so it should but let’s not find out. The fuel gauge will count down (5 litres, 4.5 litres etc.)after you have driven a while. I’ve been told by Glenn (smart142) he has had the counter down to zero before he could find fuel. Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willys Posted August 27 Share Posted August 27 Your fuel pump relies on the fuel to cool itself, not advisable to keep driving with little to no fuel in the tank to cool the pump. To each their own as many like driving this way....lol. Changing the pump isn't a fun job. Just saying. IF you do run dry you may need to bleed the injectors to get all the air out......it's what you have to do when starting an engine after a rebuild. Beware fuel pressure at injectors is extremely high and can easily penetrate skin.....not something you want to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitandDave Posted August 27 Author Share Posted August 27 Thank you for the advice. I figured there was some kind of warning light system for the display but I hadn’t had time to check it out before an eight hour drive home in a 20 year old car. I need to explore this site so I can search for topics. This and other issues are sure to be in the archives. thanks again, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickman007 Posted August 27 Share Posted August 27 I’ve also had the privilege of running down to 0 before filling up, not by choice…very nerve racking. I made about 2km after hitting 0L before I reached a gas station. If the fuel in the tank has been sitting for awhile, the float may not read correctly (there was a thread here a while ago. Some call for fuel treatment to help). In most highway driving, you should get around 400km before the countdown. Izzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitandDave Posted August 28 Author Share Posted August 28 I searched AutoTrader and Kijiji Autos to find this little cutie. There were lots in Alberta but I’ve seen cars from Ontario being sold there as local and even prairie cars see lots of winter salt. So I held out for this 2005 from North Van with full service record history at the N. Van Mercedes dealership. Second owner since new and he’s a Mercedes tech himself! So I flew down Sunday morning, settled up with him and drove it 7hours straight home. Other than my fuel gauge misread it was a breeze. Only 56,500 km on this Li’l cutie, maybe it’s always been just a summer car. Thanks Izzy for sharing your daring do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartzuuk Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Welcome....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smart142 Posted September 3 Share Posted September 3 I've found the fuel gauge to be very accurate. The only time it acted up was in BC. The Victoria MB dealer advised a fuel additive that did help. When driving to Jasper from BC many years ago on a Sunday night i ran it down to 0.0 and was still able to go another30kms. Rumor has it that at 0.0 you still have 2 litres remaining. Maybe the MB engineers were wise and were trying to protect the dummies who like to drive on fumes??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitandDave Posted September 3 Author Share Posted September 3 Thanks Glenn, I’m thinking that with all the warnings and countdowns, running completely out of fuel is deeply discouraged. I’ll try a search for bleeding procedure on this common rail system then report my findings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 Petrolabs diesel fuel treatment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smart142 Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 The smart self bleeds. I've changed many a fuel filter. When you turn the key to the first position you can hear the ''gurgling'' from underneath. Do that 2 or 3 times and you'll be good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitandDave Posted September 5 Author Share Posted September 5 I’m not surprised! It couldn’t be like my old John Deere tractor, needed a rugby team and an ambulance standing by to bleed that beast. Still, I think I’ll avoid the issue, thanks for chiming in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smart142 Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 Ya, bleeding an old Mercedes or Toyota diesel was tricky too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Getfuzzy Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 I ran out and the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree. Once refuelled it took a few attempts of disconnecting the battery to reset the car. I also had the dashboard light up while on my way to Nakusp a few days ago but that was due to a leak in the line coming out of the high pressure pump into the rail. Now I just found another issue. It seems that my left front suspension has shifted forward by a few cms to where it rubs when turning. Checked and seems that nothing is loose. It was only noticed in town, previous hiway drive didn't have this rubbing. It handled the winding turns no problem with the 30 mm spacers on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitandDave Posted Saturday at 06:08 AM Author Share Posted Saturday at 06:08 AM Sounds like there’s more to learn about Smarts! 30 mm spacers? What needs to happen for the tires to rub the wheel wells? On your next trip to Nakusp keep an eye out for a red ‘05 Cabri around Crescent Valley. That’s me! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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